Olori Janet Afolabi, Queen of Apomu Kingdom,has given fresh set of market women free interest loan.The loan was given to them on June 2, at Alapomu Palace Hall, Apomu, headquarters of Isokan local government area of Osun state.
The money will be paid back over five months.
Addressing the women,Olori Janet said they should use the money for the purpose for which it was given. She said the money is meant to help them expand their petty businesses or start new ones.
The 50 women were randomly selected and shortlisted by Women Leaders in the community, led by the highest female Chief,Christiana Akinlabu, the Otun Iyalode of Apomu Kingdom.
Olori Janet said empowering the women is crucial for ending hunger and poverty in the rural communities. ” Poverty eradication is key to helping women escape poverty. Many of the world’s poorest people are women.Empowering them is essential not just for rural but national development.”
The free interest loan was initiated by Olori Janet Afolabi in 2020 because after the Covid 19 lock down many women were unable to resume their trading businesses. Most of them had spent their capital. Some of them made efforts to borrow money from families and friends but it was very difficult.
To help these women start again Olori Janet said” I came up with the No Collateral, No Interest Loan as my flagship empowerment project”.
